Top 10 Best Movie Pirates

Top 10 Movie Pirates

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest sailors of the seven seas to grace the silver screen!

#10: Hector Barbossa

“Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise (2003-17)
Introduced as the antagonist of the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, Geoffrey Rush’s Barbossa may be the most “piratey” in a long film series chock-full of scallywags. That isn’t to say he’s generic, however, as Rush puts a surprising amount of humanity and pathos into the role of an undead cursed pirate. He also has the sort of motivation we can sympathize with and, in subsequent installments, he becomes more of an anti-hero. Whether he was a captain, a pirate lord, or a privateer with a peg leg, Barbossa was always a cunning and bold leader, and not one to be trifled with.

#9: Captain Blood

“Captain Blood” (1935)
The golden age of Hollywood was full of swashbuckling adventure films set on the high seas, many of which starred the dashing Errol Flynn. As the title character in his first major role, Flynn played a doctor who ultimately escapes enslavement and becomes a feared buccaneer. It’s no wonder Flyyn instantly became a star as his performance was filled with passion, both in terms of battle and his romance with Arabella. Blood puts his swordsmanship skills on display a number of times, most notably in the thrilling duel against the villainous Levasseur.

#8: Yondu

“Guardians of the Galaxy” Vol. 1-2 (2014-17)
Not all pirates pillage the ocean; some sail across the stars. As a member of the Ravagers, a group of space faring pirates, Yondu was well known and feared across the galaxy. However after breaking their code he was expelled from the group, and went into business for himself. Leading his crew of ragtag aliens, Yondu was greedy, while also hiding a compassionate soft spot, particularly for his protegee Peter Quill, who came to think of Yondu as a father. This combination of desire for treasure, paired with empathy for his crew and regret for a dark past makes him a quintessential pirate captain.

#7: The Pirate King

“The Pirates of Penzance” (1983)
Continuing the role in the famous Gilbert and Sullivan operetta that won him a Tony on Broadway, Kevin Kline brought the role of the Pirate King to the big screen as well. The King fights, sails, and commands his crew with the best of the entries on this list, but one thing in particular sets him apart; a magnificent singing voice! He frequently uses that voice to sing his own praises, and can be quite boastful, arrogant and, at times, even heartless. Of course, his moral code makes him more than a simple villain, and having been one himself, has a soft spot for orphans.

#6: Sinbad

“Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” (2003)
The legend of Sinbad the Sailor has been around for hundreds of years, and even on film has a long and historic pedigree. Films like “The Golden Voyage of Sinbad” covered his swashbuckling adventures but, for our money, his greatest appearance came in this animated outing from Dreamworks with Brad Pitt voicing the titular role. More than a supreme sailor and swordsman, Sinbad is a charming rogue that becomes drawn into a love triangle with his childhood friend Proteus when he falls in love with Proteus’ fiancée. Sinbad also faces off with a figure even more unpredictable than himself, the Goddess of Chaos herself, Eris!

#5: Abduwali Muse

“Captain Phillips” (2013)
Unlike the other films on our list, which are tales of historical fiction and fantasy, Captain Phillips is based on true events, namely the hijacking of the US cargo ship Maersk Alabama. It was the first time pirates had successfully seized a vessel registered under the American flag in two centuries. The Somali pirates who took the ship were led by Abduwali Muse, and their violent and brutal tactics imbue the film with a real sense of terror. It’s no wonder that Muse’s line after taking the ship, “I am the Captain now,” has become so iconic. Barkhad Abdi, who played Muse, received universal praise for the role and was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

#4: Captain Hook

“Peter Pan” (1953)
The iconic villain invented by JM Barrie has appeared on the silver screen plenty of times, including in the title role of 1991’s “Hook”. As great as some of those performances are, all will inevitably be compared to Disney’s animated Captain Hook. The character is an archetypical pirate with his flamboyant red outfit and namesake, the latter of which replaced his right hand after it was bitten off by a certain crocodile. Don’t be fooled by his gentlemanly-like appearance, Hook is the merciless (although frequently comical) leader of the pirates terrorizing Neverland. His goals are to destroy his seemingly eternal rival Peter Pan, as well as enact revenge on that ever-ticking croc.

#3: The Dread Pirate Roberts

“The Princess Bride” (1987)
When it comes to pirates, the name is the important thing. For decades, the name of the ‘Dread Pirate Roberts’ struck fear into people across the seven seas as it recalled a fearsome swordfighter and ruthless captain that took no prisoners. Of course, the story of Roberts isn’t exactly what it seems: it’s actually a title passed from one individual to another, and his very reputation causes enemy ships to surrender without conflict. His unparalleled swordsmanship seems to stay consistent with each pass of the torch, as displayed during Westley’s legendary duel against Inigo Montoya, who would go on to inherit the title.

#2: Long John Silver

“Treasure Island” (1950)
Much of our modern perception of pirates can be traced back to the character of Long John Silver beginning with his appearance in the 1883 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. In Disney’s 1950 adaptation, Robert Newton played the salty sailor with one leg and a parrot. Newton’s portrayal became so iconic that the image has persisted all these years later whenever we think of a pirate. In fact our imaginings of a pirate accent with the “arrrs” and “yarrrs” comes from Newton’s own English West Country accent. Countless others have used the accent as Long John, including the prolific Tim Curry. His turn as the complex cutthroat in “Muppet Treasure Island” needs to be mentioned alongside the great pirate portrayals as well.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Blackbeard, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (2011)
A Notorious Historical Pirate in an Important Film Franchise

Captain Shakespeare, “Stardust” (2007)
He Soars Through the Sky Harvesting Lightning & Hides a Sophisticated Side

Red Rackham, “The Adventures of Tintin” (2011)
An Ancestor of Evil

The Pirate Captain, “The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!” [aka “The Pirates! Band of Misfits”] (2012)
An Aardman Animated Adventurer

Jim Hawkins, “Treasure Planet” (2002)
A New Take on a Classic Character

#1: Jack Sparrow

“Pirates of the Caribbean” Franchise (2003-17)
Oh sorry, that’s Captain Jack Sparrow. What truly makes Jack such a great character is that we are never truly sure where his allegiances lie. While he seems to be a good man who values his friends, his own sense of self preservation usually wins out. Existing in a time when the edges of the map were being filled in and adventure was disappearing, Sparrow represents something we all desire: freedom. Though he was originally envisioned as a much different, more clean-cut character, when Johnny Depp was cast he brought a unique vision to the role. He, along with the writers, directors, and even costume designers, turned the character into an icon that will sail on in our pop cultural memory forever.

Avast! Do we deserve the Black Spot for leaving your favorite off the list? Let us know in the comments, or walk the plank!